Tetraneura (Tetraneurella) nigriabdominalis (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) – a species extending its range in Europe, and morphological comparison with Tetraneura (Tetraneura) ulmi

The paper presents the first records of Tetraneura (Tetraneurella) nigriabdominalis (Sasaki, 1899) (Eriosomatinae, Eriosomatini) from Poland, an alien species that has been expanding its range northward, which is presumably connected with climate warming. Secondary hosts of this aphid are different plant species from the family Poaceae, including Zea L. Considering the steady increase in maize cultivation area in Europe, the species can become a potential threat to this cereal. We present the morphological characteristics of winged morphs developing in galls on trees from the genus Ulmus L. Those characteristics enable to distinguish this species from Tetraneura (Tetraneura) ulmi (Linnaeus, 1758), which dominates on elms in northwestern Europe. The data on the distribution of T. (T.) nigriabdominalis in Europe are also provided

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of moxifloxacin hydrolysis in the presence and absence of metal ions in acidic solutions

Chromatographic and densitometric method for determination of moxifloxacin in the presence of products of acidic hydrolysis was developed. The established method had suitable specificity, precision, good accuracy, and high sensitivity. In addition, stability of moxifloxacin in acidic solutions at temperature 90OC and 110OC in the presence and absence of metal ions, such as Cu(II), Fe(III), Zn(II), and Al(III) was studied. It was proved that decomposition of moxifloxacin proceeds according to kinetics of the first-order reaction and is dependent on temperature, incubation time and the type of the metal ion. Based on the calculated kinetic (k, t0.1 and t0.5) and thermodynamic (Ea) parameters, it was observed that among studied ions the highest effect on decomposition process of moxifloxacin had Cu(II) ions. The liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) techniques have been used to identify degradation products for the compound

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of moxifloxacin hydrolysis in the presence and absence of metal ions in acidic solutions

Chromatographic and densitometric method for determination of moxifloxacin in the presence of products of acidic hydrolysis was developed. The established method had suitable specificity, precision, good accuracy and high sensitivity.In addition, stability of moxifloxacin in acidic solutions at temperature 90°C and 110°C in the presence and absence of metal ions, such as Cu(II), Fe(III), Zn(II), and Al(III) was studied. It was proved that decomposition of moxifloxacin proceeds according to kinetics of the first-order reaction and is dependent on temperature, incubation time and the type of the metal ion. Based on the calculated kinetic (k, t0.1 and t0.5) and thermodynamic (Ea) parameters, it was observed that among studied ions the highest effect on decomposition process of moxifloxacin had Cu(II) ions. The liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) techniques have been used to identify degradation products of moxifloxacin

Methods of estimating concentration of the D-dimers used in venous thromboembolism diagnosis

D-dimery (DD) to produkty degradacji stabilnej fibryny. Podwyższone stężenie DD wskazuje na wzmożoną aktywację procesów krzepnięcia i fibrynolizy. Jako parametr diagnostyczny znalazły zastosowanie między innymi w diagnostyce zakrzepicy żył głębokich oraz zatorowości płucnej. Wszystkie metody oznaczania DD bazują na wykorzystaniu przeciwciał przeciwko D-dimerom. Można wyróżnić trzy podstawowe zasady oznaczania, które opierają się na: metodach lateksowych, metodach aglutynacji pełnej krwi, oraz najpowszechniej stosowanych metodach immunoenzymatycznych. Obecnie w fazie badań jest metoda posługująca się D-dimerami w diagnostyce in vivo, wykorzystująca przeciwciała przeciwko D-dimerom znakowane izotopem technetu.D-dimers (DD) are final products of stabilized fibrin degradation process. Elevated level of DD indicates parallel activation of both coagulation and fibrinolysis. D-dimers play important role in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. All diagnostic methods detecting DD are based on monoclonal antibodies. There are three basic techniques used to measure DD: latex agglutination, full blood agglutination and immunoenzymatic methods. Nowadays new methods based on in vivo detection of DD using antibodies labeled with technetium are under clinical evaluation

COVID-19 driven adaptations in the provision of school meals in the Baltic Sea Region

Correction 6.5.2022 10.3389/fsufs.2022.882111The instability, rapid changes, and restrictions generated by the COVID-19 pandemic tested the provision of school meals in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). School meal services were affected by factors such as full or partial lockdowns, strict hygiene regimes, lay-offs or staff shortages, stressful working environments, supply shortages, and changes to storing, cooking, and serving models. However, the responses to the COVID-19 crisis were highlighted by innovation, new opportunities, and cooperation. This paper reviews several examples of COVID-19 crisis management at school canteens in five BSR countries (Estonia, Finland, Poland, Russia (Saint Petersburg), and Sweden) between March 2020 and March 2021. The paper reveals the significant operational, logistical, and systemic problems that appeared because of the pandemic; the solutions and adaptations that were developed are also identified. The preparatory processes, logistics, and services that were adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a new school meal provision model - a takeaway model; that includes similar features and unique characteristics across the different countries. Overall, the provision of school meals was carried out successfully in the BSR during the pandemic. Responsible, competent, and innovative professionals used their organizational skills, flexibility, and responsiveness to feed school pupils in a highly restricted and rapidly changing environment. It is expected that several of the COVID-19-driven innovations will remain in use following the pandemic.Peer reviewe

Metabolic syndrome and its components in Polish women of childbearing age : a nationwide study

Abstract Background Abnormal body mass and related metabolic disorders may affect female reproductive health. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight, obesity, lipid and glucose metabolism disorders, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, among Polish women of childbearing age. Methods One thousand five hundred eighty-eight non-pregnant Polish women of childbearing age (20–49 years) who participated in the Multi-Centre National Population Health Examination Survey (WOBASZ II study) in 2013–2014, were assigned to 3 age groups: 20–29 years (n = 403), 30–39 years (n = 600) and 40–49 years (n = 585). Measurements of weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood glucose were taken. For statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-Square, and Cohran-Armitage tests were used. Results Of the participants, 4.3% were determined to be underweight, 25.2% were overweight, 15% were obese, and 53.1% had abdominal obesity. With age, the prevalence of both excessive body mass and abdominal obesity tended to increase, and that of underweight to decrease. Frequency of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia found in the whole group were 50% and 12.6% respectively, and also tended to rise with age. Low serum HDL-cholesterol (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels were found in 15.1% of the participants. Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose in the whole group was 8.2% and tended to increase with age. Diabetes was found in 1.2% of the participants and its prevalence also tended to rise with age, at the borderline of significance. Frequency of arterial hypertension and metabolic syndrome in the whole group was 15.7% and 14.1% respectively and both tended to increase with age. Conclusions Overweight and obesity, especially of abdominal type, and the related metabolic abnormalities are common in Polish women of childbearing age. Their prevalence tends to increase with age. Underweight is relatively common in the youngest age group